Early the next day, Zhao Yunxiao left his residence after completing his usual morning practice. Unlike most other days, the sect grounds were already bustling with activity despite the early hour.
Many of the celebratory parties had lasted throughout the night, and there were plenty of disciples who were only just heading back to their residences now.
At the same time, the delegates from the subordinate sects were also leaving Purple Plum Mountain today. Because of that, there were also Black Tortoise Sect disciples going around to bid them farewell.
Zhao Yunxiao greeted a few familiar faces as he headed for his first stop – the Lightwind Pavilion. Here, he was intending to bring along some of the food that had been stored away by Gu Qiansi.
"Why are you packing this much food? Are you going on a long trip?" Hua Xian remarked as the fairymist flower continued swaying lightly by the edge of the pond.
"I won't be gone for long," Zhao Yunxiao said curtly. "So, don't even think about doing anything funny in the meantime."
"I know, I know," Hua Xian answered impatiently. "There might not seem to be anyone around, but the sect administrators are always watching. And if they are ever forced to take action, neither of us will get away unscathed, right?"
"Exactly," Zhao Yunxiao replied. "At that point, I might be punished a little, but your life would most likely be forfeit."
"You have also said that before already," Hua Xian sighed. "How distrustful. Is that really how you think of me? As a mere troublemaker?"
"Have you already forgotten how you tried to kill me?" Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes at it.
"And I have also helped you overcome your cultivation bottleneck," Hua Xian reminded. "In any case, it's not like I can do much with this array that you have set up here. I was just asking out of curiosity."
"That'd better be the case," Zhao Yunxiao replied.
That said, more than half a month had passed since he transplanted Hua Xian to the Lightwind Pavilion. Fortunately, there had not been any mishaps just yet.
Not just that, but the world origin energy density here had also improved, though Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying's efforts in transplanting over other spiritual plants had probably been the main contributor in that regard.
As for Hua Xian, perhaps the most significant change that it had brought to the Lightwind Pavilion was still in the visual aspect. The mist that it created made this place look a little more mystical, but that was about it.
After performing a thorough examination of the array that was suppressing Hua Xian, Zhao Yunxiao finally left for the meeting location mentioned by Fei Weng.
This time, the group would be meeting outside a large hall in the Inner Grounds that was commonly used to host guests from other factions. And as always, Zhao Yunxiao arrived earlier than the appointed time.
The entourage for this trip comprised several people.
Apart from Fei Weng and himself, there would be a sect protector, as well as an inner disciple and another outer disciple. Of course, Elder Feng Wanjia herself would also be coming along.
As for who those people were, Zhao Yunxiao had no idea.
And he did not have to wait long to find out.
Before long, a familiar figure slowly approached him. Sporting a rough stubble, the large man naturally exuded a refined yet intimidating aura.
"Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Hua!" Zhao Yunxiao immediately stepped forward to greet him.
At the same time, he could not help but let out an internal sigh.
Considering how he was one of the more influential inner disciples in the Feng Faction, perhaps it was not surprising that Hua Shui had been selected to come along.
However, Zhao Yunxiao had still secretly hoped that it would not be him. After all, Hua Shui was known for being strict about order and hierarchy, perhaps even more so than Elder Feng Wanjia herself.
With him around, Zhao Yunxiao had to be extra careful not to make any mistakes.
In fact, this wish to do well did not purely stem from the fear of getting punished, but also because he subconsciously wanted to gain Hua Shui's approval.
Even if one disregarded Hua Shui's usual reputation, he was still one of the three disciples who had created the greatest waves during the recent opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm.
By forming and leading a coalition that included members from the other three great symbol sects, he successfully defeated a powerful monster on the level of the Serpent Mammoth. This news was a source of pride for all disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect, and Zhao Yunxiao was no exception!
Come to think of it, another one of these three disciples would be on the trip with them as well.
Having fought the Azure Dragon Sect's Thousand Blade Ren Qiansha to a draw, Armed Ape Tower's Xiong Yekong once again proved that he was deserving of his reputation as someone who had reached the level of the core disciples of the Four Great Symbol Sects.
Who knows?
Perhaps he would get to witness this rising star showing off a thing or two during the trip!
"Are you Junior Martial Brother Zhao Yunxiao?" Hua Shui asked.
"Zhao Yunxiao here, reporting to Senior Martial Brother Hua," Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists towards Hua Shui.
"Be at ease," Hua Shui said. "I believe Senior Fei has already briefed you on the details of this trip?"
"Yes, I have heard most of the details from Senior Fei," Zhao Yunxiao nodded.
"That's good. Make sure you remember everything and act accordingly. Elder Feng has little tolerance for incompetence," Hua Shui cautioned. "Work together with Junior Martial Brother Gan on this matter, and play to each of your strengths."
"I understand, Senior Martial Brother Hua," Zhao Yunxiao assured, but he could not help but feel a bad premonition.
Junior Martial Brother Gan?
Could it be...?
"Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Hua! You are as dedicated as ever, having arrived so early!" a familiar voice just about instantly confirmed Zhao Yunxiao's suspicions.
Gan Luozhi stepped forward and was about to clasp his fists towards Hua Shui when he suddenly stopped in his tracks, having noticed Zhao Yunxiao who was standing right there with Hua Shui.
"Greetings, Senior Martial Brother Gan," Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists towards Gan Luozhi, trying to sound as natural as possible. "I look forward to working together with you."
At the same time, he could only silently curse in his heart.
This was truly the case of the paths of enemies crossing often.
What were the chances that he would end up partnering with Gan Luozhi for this trip?
Well, considering the latter's relationship with Hua Sheng, perhaps it was not too surprising that he had been selected for this trip. Regardless, he could only hope that the other party would put aside their little argument from three weeks ago, and focus on completing the job at hand!
"...Junior Martial Brother Zhao? You are my partner for this trip?" Gan Luozhi felt the corner of his lips twitch.
"Seems like you already know each other?" Hua Shui remarked. "It does not seem like you have a pleasant relationship, but I don't care about that. Just make sure that you do not let that get in the way of work, or you will have more than each other to worry about."
It was not just through luck that Hua Shui managed to become one of the more influential inner disciples. With a single glance at their initial interaction, he could easily surmise that the relationship between the two was not the best.
And his response was clear and direct as well.
"Yes, Senior Martial Brother Hua!" the two answered in unison.
"Remember that," Hua Shui reiterated in a stern manner.
The doors to the hall slowly opened at this moment, and their attention naturally drifted over to the group that was exiting.
From the Black Tortoise Sect were Elder Feng Wanjia, Fei Weng, and Sect Protector Shan Lihui – a beautiful lady who looked to be in her early thirties. Sporting long black hair that was tied up in a bun, her soft facial features contrasted greatly against her fierce battle robes that exuded an aura of menace.
Walking alongside them were delegates from the Armed Ape Tower – Elder Xiong Yan, Qie Xing whom Zhao Yunxiao had met yesterday, and of course, Feral Claw Xiong Yekong.
"Greetings, Elder Feng, Elder Xiong!" Hua Shui greeted, while Zhao Yunxiao and Gan Luozhi silently bowed behind him.
"Rise," Elder Feng Wanjia said with a nonchalant wave. "Is everything prepared for our departure?"
"Oh? So, Hua Shui will be coming along as well?" Elder Xiong Yan exclaimed in surprise. "How reassuring! I will be relying on you to bail us out if we get stumped by any unexpected problems!"
"Elder Xiong's words are too kind. With Elder Feng around, there is no need for me to meddle at all," Hua Shui said before turning back to Elder Feng Wanjia. "Everything is prepared. We can depart at any moment now."
"In that case, let's not waste any more time," Elder Feng Wanjia said. "Shall we, Elder Xiong?"
"Sure," Elder Xiong Yan nodded.
He slowly reached out with a hand, and a small fingernail-sized item flew out to hover just above the ground not far away. This item quickly expanded, turning into a two-storey bamboo house that covered about a thousand square metres.
That said, apart from the way that it had appeared, the house itself might not look all that impressive to most, considering it was just a building made entirely of bamboo.
Of course, it was anything but an ordinary bamboo house.
How could it be that simple?
Despite its humble appearance, this was still the heavenly palace of a powerful cultivator!
The doors swung open, revealing a corridor straight down the middle with a row of rooms on each side. That said, even the interior was all bamboo.
"Let's go," Elder Xiong Yan said, leading the way by stepping into the house.
The members of the Armed Ape Tower were right behind him, followed closely by Elder Feng Wanjia and those from the Black Tortoise Sect.
As the last person to enter, the door gently closed behind Zhao Yunxiao. At that very moment, Zhao Yunxiao felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was an inexplicable sense of loss – as though he had just been cut off from the rest of the world.
The physical appearance of the door felt like just a facade, and what it truly symbolised was an entire world that now stood between him and the outside world.
This was a sensation similar to that of stepping through a gate and entering a mystic realm.
As expected, there was no such thing as a simple heavenly palace!
"Lihui will join me in my room. As for the rest of you, go get some rest," Elder Feng Wanjia instructed. "I will get Lihui to call for you in your assigned rooms if I have any instructions for you."
"Yes, Elder Feng!"
With that, the members of the entourage retired to their assigned rooms for the time being.
Zhao Yunxiao casually opened the door to the outer disciples' assigned room. But before he could step in, Gan Luozhi promptly stepped forward to nudge him out of the way.
"Who said that you can enter before I do?" Gan Luozhi said with a sneer before proceeding to occupy the furthest bed in the room.
Seeing this, Zhao Yunxiao could only let out a helpless sigh.
He thought that he had settled the duel with Gan Luozhi in a rather amiable manner, but perhaps that was just wishful thinking on his part.
From the looks of it, this trip was likely to end up being a lot more troublesome than he had originally hoped!